Written Statement - Local air quality management in Wales – policy guidance

Last updated 15 June 2017

Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs

I am today issuing new policy guidance to local authorities in Wales in relation to local air quality management.

Local authorities must have regard to this guidance when carrying out their local air quality management duties under the 1995 Environment Act. The development of the guidance follows the consultation we concluded earlier this year.

At the heart of the new guidance is a requirement for local authorities to follow the 5 ways of working, set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, when carrying out local air quality management. This means planning for the long term, integrating policies which can impact on air quality, involving people, collaborating with others and preventing problems from getting worse or from arising in the first place.

The guidance is being published on Global Action Plan’s first Clean Air Day. This day of action raises awareness of the harmful effects of air pollution and encourages people to take action to reduce their emissions and their exposure to air pollution.

We will be taking forward a programme of educational and awareness-raising activities in Wales over the coming months.

Activities relating to Clean Air Day are focusing on those cities and regions in the UK which are putting in place low emission zones or clean air zones. The Welsh Government will be developing a clean air zone framework for Wales. I look forward to providing Assembly Members with a progress update on this work after the summer recess.